KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 26

More than thirty victims of microfinance broke into the Federal Parliament on Monday, despite heavy security, and staged protests and chanted slogans on the House of Representatives premises.

It is mandatory to possess a special entry pass in order to enter the Parliament building premises. Special security checks are also done for those who enter.

Both the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police have been dispatched to secure the Parliament building. People entering the building are also inspected by Nepal Police.

The Parliament building has three gates. The police reported to the secretariat of parliament that the protestors had entered through Naya Baneshwor Chowk via gate number two. Only MPs are permitted to move through the door.

The Lower House's assistant spokesperson, Dasharatha Dhamala, told THT that they entered the parliament grounds through a gate with less security.

'We have received information so far from our investigation that protestors entered the parliament's grounds through the gate, where fewer security officers were present,' he stated.

'Because there were not enough police personnel to stop them, they took advantage of the situation and entered the parliament, where they protested and chanted slogans.'

Agitators broke through gate number two into the parliament while the house was in session, despite the fact that protests are not allowed within the parliament area and that heavily armed security

personnel are stationed to monitor it.

Protesters inside the building lay on the ground, declaring that they would not care about their lives, but their demands had to be met. Numerous agitators have been detained by police. Following the incident, arrested protesters were brought into Baneshwor Police Circle.

Bhim Prasad Dhakal, a spokesperson for the Nepal Police, told THT that an inquiry committee consisting of three members has been established to investigate the issue as soon as possible.

'SSP Dineshraj Mainali of the Valley Police Office is leading a three-person investigation committee that has been formed,' he said. 'Committee members include DSP Dinesh Ghimire of the Valley Police

Office, Ranipokhari and SP Navaraj Adhikari of the District Police Complex, Kathmandu.'

According to him, the committee has been tasked with investigating how microfinance borrowers crossed the restricted area and entered the parliament building, as well as identify weaknesses and submit a report.

On the other hand, over the past week, protesters against microlending have been holding rallies in various locations around Kathmandu, demanding a reduction in the outrageous interest rates that microlenders charge. Microfinance must be scrapped, loans must be forgiven, loan defaulters must be taken off the blacklist, and collateral must be released. These among others, are their demands.

Similarly, victims of loan sharks are also in trouble because of exorbitant interest rates on loans obtained from local moneylenders, and they are demonstrating in Kathmandu.

The committee representing usury victims has reportedly been called to negotiations by the government, but the meetings did not happen on Monday.

A negotiation team led by Joint Secretary Rudra Prasad Pandit has been formed, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Reconciliation efforts are underway, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The victims of usury arrived in Kathmandu last year after a fourteen-day walk. They claimed that the government has not taken any action to address their issues in accordance with the agreement made a year ago.